Multimedia modules set to hit NCTJ classrooms

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The journalism classroom of the future has come a step closer after the National Council for the Training of Journalists announced it would be offering colleges a new diploma in multimedia journalism later this year.

The NCTJ said the 60-hour diploma would produce trainees "capable of tackling the demands of the multimedia newsroom". It added that it had consulted with all major training centres and newspaper groups when drawing up the syllabus.

Former Times journalist and media consultant Andy Bull has devised the course over the last six months at the request of NCTJ chief executive Jo Butcher and believes it will meet the needs of modern newsrooms. "We wanted to reflect what the regional papers were doing," he said. "I was conscious that there had been real practical development [in the industry]."

Although the course is still in its trial stage, the council is aiming for it to be incorporated into journalism degrees and diplomas alongside its traditional elements by September.

Students will have to create online video and audio reports as part of examinations and coursework. Trial exams took place last week.

Currently, NCTJ courses require students to learn print skills, media law, public affairs, shorthand and to compile a portfolio of published work.

Earlier this month the NCTJ approved a new sub-editing course which will be first taught at the Journalist Works, an independent college based at the offices of the Brighton Argus.